Media Center

Press Release


CANADA AND NORWAY CONTRIBUTE ADDITIONAL FUNDS
TO OAS SPECIAL MISSION IN HAITI

  March 14, 2003

Assistant Secretary General Luigi Einaudi announced today that on March 11, 2003 in Port au Prince, David Lee signed on behalf of the Organization of American States (OAS) an operative agreement with the Government of Canada for Can$2 million (equivalent to US$1,346,800) to the OAS Special Mission for Strengthening Democracy in Haiti. Canada previously contributed US$511,139 to the Special Mission.

The Canadian funding will support the work of the Special Mission in five sectors: political dialogue, communications, security, preparations for elections and operations. Of the amount, $500,000 is being made available to the Special Mission immediately.

Einaudi also announced that the Government of Norway confirmed on March 13 a contribution of Kroner500,000 (equivalent to US$69,600) to the Special Mission. The Government of Norway has previously contributed $58, 366 to the OAS Special Mission in Haiti, where Norway has played an important role in promoting dialogue and encouraging cooperation between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Reference: E-058/03